We analysed 20 prime ski destinations based on their appeal and ease of access for remote workers who enjoy spending time in the mountains. They have been ranked on their connectivity, climate, prime residential market and quality of life
From sand to snow, our Executive Nomads are putting on their snow boots and setting their sights on the mountain vistas. Chosen for their dual-seasonality appeal, ultra-prime residential market and connectivity, the Savills Executive sNOwMAD Index analyses 20 ski resorts across the globe (see chart, below).
Flexibility in the workplace looks like it is here to stay. Savills Ski agents report just over 90% of chalet owners staying for longer periods of time compared to pre-pandemic levels and 60% of owners are now working remotely from their mountain homes. Agile workers appreciate the remote offering of working from a chalet in the Alps, Niseko or the Rocky mountains. Ski resorts are consistently evolving to develop their dual-seasonality appeal, building year-round communities and proving the perfect escape for the globetrotting Executive sNOwMAD.
Savills ski agents report just over 90% of chalet owners staying for longer periods of time compared to pre-pandemic levels, and 60% of owners are now working remotely from their prime ski residences
Lucy Palk, Analyst, Savills World Research
Working remotely requires connectivity, both physically and virtually. Our top five resorts all have comparatively fast internet connections and are well connected to and via international airports. Ranking first, Whistler Blackcomb performs well across all five metrics. Offering 8,000 acres of terrain for winter sports enthusiasts, plentiful snow, a year-round vibrant village, attractive prime property prices and close proximity to Vancouver, British Columbia’s most famous resort is the ideal retreat for footloose executives.
Topping the Savills Resilience Index, Zermatt ranks second for sNOwMADs, driven by its dual-season season appeal, competitive pricing for a prime Swiss ski resort and good connectivity. Followed in the index by Val Gardena, with an average asking price of €9,800 per square metre, this Italian resort is favourably valued and the closest of all 20 resorts to a large city and an international airport. Gstaad ranks fourth – its fine restaurants and up-market boutiques offer plenty for non-skiers, and the Gstaad Valley provides for a bustling summer season.
Austrian resorts Mayrhofen and Zell am See take fifth and sixth place, respectively. Savills Zell am See agents have seen a reprioritisation of dual-seasonality over the last five years, and prime owners are staying in their properties for longer periods of time compared to pre-pandemic. For those retreating to the Schmittenhöhe mountains, summer activities are abundant, including golf, biking, hiking and water sports on Lake Zell.
Austrian resorts offer a high quality of life and comparative value for money for prime property, helping to also elevate Kitzbühel into the top ten. Despite being well connected and having guaranteed snow, the higher price per square metre of American resorts Aspen and Vail pushes them lower down the rankings.
French resorts are dispersed further down the rankings. Morzine, Chamonix and Méribel all perform well on their air connectivity and prime prices. However, a weaker internet connection in Chamonix and a comparatively lower scoring across the five metrics for the three French resorts means they do not rank as highly as their Swiss counterparts.
However, with improving infrastructure investment and extension of their dual-seasonality, these three resorts are well placed for an influx of Executive sNOwMADs.
Read the other articles within The Ski Report below